Principal
Email Jessica Gillespie-Johnson

I began my career as a lateral entry 8th grade science teacher at Paisley IB Magnet in 2008. In 2010, I moved to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where I taught 7th and 8th grade science at Manteo Middle School. Returning to the area, I taught at Jefferson Middle School until 2018 and completed my administrative internship there during the 2018-2019 school year. I then moved to Flat Rock Middle School, serving as an Instructional Facilitator and later as the Assistant Principal of Instruction until January 2022, when I became the Assistant Principal at Walkertown High School.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University and a Master’s in School Administration from Western Carolina University. I am currently pursuing an Educational Leadership Doctorate at Western Carolina. Passionate about equity, culturally responsive teaching, and inclusion, I am excited to return to Jefferson Middle School to continue working towards equitable and inclusive education for all students. I value relationships with students, parents, faculty, and staff and look forward to reconnecting with old colleagues and building connections with new ones.

It is my goal to see to it that staff, parents, and the community work together to ensure academic success and to provide enriching extracurricular activities for all of our students.

Go Patriots!

Jessica Gillespie-Johnson

Assistant Principal of Instruction
Email Michele Hamby

Hi! Welcome to TJMS! My name is Michele Hamby, and I am the Assistant Principal of Instruction. My main duties include organizing testing, working with teachers on curriculum, and helping them be the best they can be. The

2024-2025 school year is my 35th year in education, all in the WSFCS system and all in middle school! Most of my career was spent right here at TJMS as an 8th grade Language Arts teacher, and then more recently as the Instructional Facilitator. Outside of school, I love spending time with friends and family, which consists of my husband, four children, and one grandson (plus 2 dogs!). Together we enjoy hiking and traveling. Greece is next on my dream vacation list.

I am looking forward to the exciting things planned for this school year!

Michele Hamby

Assistant Principal
Email Sonja Hopkins

I am so excited to continue my time as Assistant Principal at TJMS! I am entering my third year here.

I look forward to working with you to continue TJMS's mission, as we aid students in developing..."a love of lifelong learning. We work daily to mold students into collaborative and critical thinkers, as we guide them through their academic careers.

I taught Mathematics for 17 years and worked in both Lexington City Schools and Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from Winston-Salem State University. Go Rams! | completed my Master of Arts in Educational Leadership Studies from Gardner-Webb University, where I am currently a doctoral student.

Augusta, Georgia is where I was born and raised; my parents and most of my family still live there. However, Winston-Salem has been my home for over 25 years. I am married and we have three adult children, two granddaughters, and our beloved Daizee Kay, a mini-schnauzer. When I am not working, I love spending time with my family and friends and sorority sisters, traveling, and watching Netflix!

I am excited to continue this journey with you and look forward to an extraordinary school year!

Sonja Hopkins

Assistant Principal
Email Shaun Trepal

Greetings Jefferson students and families. It is with great pleasure and excitement that I am joining the administrative team at Jefferson Middle School as your new Assistant Principal. With close to 20 years of experience in education at the high school level, I am really looking forward to entering the world of Middle School and discovering what I can do to help make your experience with us as enjoyable as possible.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, I grew up playing soccer and wrestling and cheering for the Browns. I knew I wanted to be an educator at a young age due to some inspiring teachers of my own. After graduating from Ohio University, I moved to North Carolina to teach Social Studies and coach wrestling in Guilford County. I met my wife through a coworker and I am now happy to call North Carolina home where we are proudly raising my 11 year old son and 9 year old daughter. In between spending time with my family, I enjoy playing guitar and learning the Spanish language.

Having spent the last 3 years as an Assistant Principal at Thomasville High School, I am eager to join your wonderful community to contribute to your continued success. Please reach out and introduce yourself when you have a chance. I’m really looking forward to meeting many new people in the next few months.

Shaun Trepal (Rhymes with “People”)